OT Assistant Salary

Boston vs Dracut: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Boston, MA and Dracut, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$77,416
$37.22/hr
Dracut, MA
$77,251
$37.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MADracut, MA
Median Salary$77,416$77,251
Hourly Rate$37.22$37.15
Entry Level (P10)$43,304$58,599
25th Percentile$62,529$67,750
75th Percentile$82,608$83,832
Top Earner (P90)$85,898$92,984
Total Employed8506
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($77,416) and Dracut ($77,251) occupational therapy assistant salaries.BostonDracutMedian Salary$77,416$77,251Entry Level (P10)$43,304$58,599Top Earner (P90)$85,898$92,984US Median $74,332

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Dracut.

The salary gap between Boston and Dracut is $165 (0.21%). Boston's median is +4.15% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $42,594,Dracut spans $34,385. Boston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$43,304
P25$62,529
Median$77,416
P75$82,608
P90 (Top)$85,898
Dracut
P10 (Entry)$58,599
P25$67,750
Median$77,251
P75$83,832
P90 (Top)$92,984

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($71,505 effective) pays 0.43% more than Dracut ($71,199 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $77,416
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $71,505
Dracut
Nominal: $77,251
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $71,199

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,416/year)
  • Larger job market (850 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,505)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Dracut if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($92,984)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Boston grew 16.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.4% growth in Dracut over the same period.

Boston, MA

+16.9%

$64,390 (2019) → $75,300 (2025)

Dracut, MA

+0.4%

$74,828 (2024) → $75,140 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Boston or Dracut?

Boston has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $77,416/year, compared to Dracut at $77,251/year — a difference of $165 (0.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Dracut?

Boston occupational therapy assistants earn $37.22/hr while Dracut hygienists earn $37.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Dracut as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Dracut. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $71,505, Dracut = $71,199), job availability (850 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Boston vs Dracut?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $43,304 in Boston and $58,599 in Dracut. The Dracut area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.81% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov